India sizes up US F-35 stealth jets in landmark first on home turf
US F-35 stealth fighters have joined Indian warplanes for military exercises near the Pakistan border in recent days, marking the first time America’s most advanced multirole combat aircraft has taken part in joint drills in India. The US jets’ participation in the drills “signals a degree of military confidence and interoperability that is difficult to manufacture through communiques”, Sushant…
US F-35 stealth fighters participated in joint military drills with Indian warplanes near the Pakistan border, marking a significant milestone in military cooperation. This is the first time the advanced multirole combat aircraft has been involved in such exercises in India. Sushant Singh, a South Asian studies lecturer at Yale University and former Indian Army officer, emphasized that the presence of the F-35s signals a high level of military confidence and interoperability between the two nations.
The drills, known as Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, allowed India to compare Western networked air-power concepts with its existing fleet of Russian, French, and indigenous aircraft. Analysts pointed out that the F-35s' participation provided India with insights into how modern, fifth-generation fighters operate, as the country struggles to develop its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project.
The drills were held at Jodhpur Air Force Station in Rajasthan state, about 200 km from the Pakistan border, from September 26 until September 29. In addition to the US, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh took part in the drills, alongside several observer nations. US Ambassador Sergio Gor confirmed that six F-35 Lightning IIs and over 200 US Air Force personnel were participating in the exercise.
Security analysts noted that Indian officials would be comparing the F-35's performance with the Russian-developed Sukhoi Su-30MKI, which forms the backbone of India's air force. They would also assess the F-35's stealth characteristics, given that India's fifth-generation fighter project has been delayed due to challenges in achieving ultra-precise stealth manufacturing and securing a suitable jet engine.
Indian pilots and air force leaders would observe and learn from the presence of operational fifth-generation US fighters in India for the first time, validating how different aircraft from various generations can operate together in a mission.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
